Autonomous robots are being piloted for zero-emission deliveries in a new smart logistics scheme in Finland.

NeRo (No emissions Robot) and HeRo (Helsinki Robot). Photo: Vesa Laitinen

The project has launched at the Ruoholahti Shopping Centre in Helsinki, using a new local distribution centre to transform urban logistics, reducing emissions and congestion.

The pilot enables anyone to send or pick up a package at the DHL Express service point while all locals can have their packages delivered by a cargo bike or a robot.

Deliveries of project partner DB Schenker are delivered to the local distribution centre in large vans. In the centre, the packages are split among A2B and DB Schenker cargo bikes, electric delivery vans and LMAD autonomous delivery robots.

The project builds on an earlier phase, carried out in the Ruoholahti and Jätkäsaari districts in December 2023 using the talking Helsinki Robot (HeRo). This will now be joined by the smaller NeRo (No emissions Robot). The autonomous robots are like mobile parcel lockers and mean those living near the distribution centre can have their packages delivered close to home throughout the summer.

The pilot will explore how a local distribution centre that combines various services can function as a part of the logistics chain in a dense urban environment and how the centre can facilitate eco-friendlier delivery methods for urban deliveries, especially in the direction of central Helsinki.

Project partners include Rolan, a provider of both logistics and smart mobility services, tasked with repairing and charging shared electric bicycles and scooters.

Matias Oikari, project manager at Forum Virium Helsinki, the organisation coordinating the pilot, said: “The pilot’s operating model does not only make package deliveries more efficient and reduce unnecessary driving, but it also reduces emissions by replacing conventional vans with eco-friendlier alternatives. As the non-profit innovation company of the City of Helsinki, we want to promote cooperation between various operators to achieve emissions reductions.”

A survey carried out collaboration with the students from Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki showed the majority of residents in Helsinki are curious about novel innovations, such as autonomous delivery vehicles, and willing to try them out at least once. Approximately 83% of the respondents have used parcel locker systems to pick up their parcels and more than half of them are extremely satisfied with the service.

The latest autonomous delivery vehicles provide the same service but with another layer of convenience when the customer can choose the one-hour time slot and location based on their own preferences.

The pilot project will run until the end of August. More details are in the video here.